At Bidwells, we’ve long recognised the Oxford-Cambridge Arc’s potential to transform the UK economy

For more than 180 years we have advised the Arc’s world-famous universities, who are among the biggest land landowners in the UK. Today, we manage its most significant real estate assets, including the world-renowned Cambridge Science Park and Harwell Campus in Oxford, Europe’s largest science park.

We’ve long understood that the Arc’s leading businesses and institutions are not driven simply by a chase for economic growth but by an academic push to combat the universal challenges threatening our planet and humankind.  

Our deep understanding of the region and unrivalled knowledge of its markets are our key differentiators, and the source of our ability to unlock value of behalf of our clients.

A Vision Built on Good Growth

Bidwells’ research suggests that current growth forecasts may underestimate the potential of the economic impact of the Arc. The projections do not take into account infrastructure investment, while also adopting conservative growth forecasts. We estimate the Oxford-Cambridge Arc contributed around £111bn to the UK economy in 2019 and it is projected to grow this contribution to almost £400bn by 2050.

But attitudes towards growth are changing. Consensus is building for rapid action to decarbonise our economies and our leaders are challenged to deliver ‘Good Growth’ - health, affordable housing and a high-quality environment - rather than simply jobs, skills, incomes and a rise in GDP.

With developers facing unprecedented pressure to respond to the public’s changing attitudes, a region already delivering high levels of Good Growth in forward-looking local authority areas such as Oxford and Cambridge, provides a golden opportunity for forward-looking sustainable development.